A Chartered Accountant, Fashion Designer, and Motivational Speaker, Shikha Jain turned challenges into stepping stones by balancing her career, family, and personal struggles. Her story is a blend of resilience, passion, and reinvention.

Shikha Jain introduces herself as, first and foremost, a good human being, emphasizing that this is paramount for any woman. She believes in the fundamental importance of humanity, the very reason for our existence on Earth, which entails helping and loving others. Professionally, she wears multiple hats. She is a Chartered Accountant (CA), Fashion Designer, and Motivational Speaker.

Before her marriage, Shikha Jain worked with a boutique in Jaipur but decided to discontinue that work after her wedding. She received the first prize in Rajasthan for designing a trimmer and fastener dress. Her model's walk on the ramp earned her the prestigious award. However, with her CA career and responsibilities in a joint family in Udaipur, she had to set aside her fashion designing, although she hopes to return to it in future.

Shikha Jain shares that after successfully completing her CA examinations, she began her career at an auditing firm and subsequently worked with a practicing firm for two years. However, she soon realized that auditing did not align with her interests and transitioned to Indirect Taxation.

CA Shikha then joined a law firm, specializing in Service Tax, a role she found immensely fulfilling. She enjoyed the dynamic nature of presenting cases before tribunals and other forums, advocating for her clients to get penalties mitigated. However, due to some unforeseen circumstances, she had to leave that position.

Shortly afterwards, she was blessed with a daughter. Balancing her career and home life became challenging, prompting her to pursue a career as an educator. Since then, she has been teaching and guiding CA students and also delivers motivational lectures, encouraging them to work diligently, choose the right path, and make informed career decisions.

Fashion Designer Shikha Jain shares that she had always been a passionate fashion enthusiast. Her mother always used to encourage her to pursue her passion for fashion. While Shikha excelled academically, her mother believed in the importance of exploring diverse interests. Thus, CA Shikha pursued Fashion Designing, Visual Merchandising, and Home Management.

The world of fashion captivated her. She enjoyed styling herself and advising others on their attire, focusing on color coordination and seasonal appropriateness. She emphasizes the significance of personal presentation, as first impressions often leave a lasting impact. In professional settings, these details can make a significant difference. She believes fashion is accessible to everyone, defining it as comfortable attire rather than solely elaborate designs. She believes comfortable and weather-appropriate colors enhance confidence.

Motivational Speaker Shikha observes that today's youth face numerous distractions and intense competition, leading to setbacks. She notes the absence of resources like smartphones in her time, highlighting the impact of technology and changing times.

She urges young people to be determined, hardworking, sincere, and punctual, qualities she finds lacking in the youth of today. She stresses the importance of time management and goal-oriented effort. She emphasizes the need for clarity regarding career choices after completing the 10th grade. In an era of globalization, competition extends beyond national borders. Communication skills are also crucial for success. These factors have collectively contributed to her own achievements.

Recalling her childhood, CA Shikha Jain shares that she was born and raised in Jaipur. Her father, a commerce graduate, is a businessman, and her mother was married young, just after completing her 12th grade. Her parents consistently motivated her and her siblings to excel academically. Her brother is an Engineer and Physics Professor, and her sister is a CA and CS merit holder.

Shikha attended India International School in Jaipur. She pursued ABST honors (Accounts and Business Statistics honors) during her graduation, concurrently studying for her CA. She also completed a Fashion Designing course from Arch College of Design & Business, renowned for its Fashion Design and Home Management programs.

Regarding her role models, CA Shikha Jain mentions two prominent figures:

• Late Ratan Tata, an industrialist and philanthropist, was admired for his humility and simplicity. Despite the Tata Group's success, he remained grounded. She admires his down-to-earth personality and the exceptional structure of the Tata Group.

• Shah Rukh Khan, recognized for his intellect and respect for women. She considers him an excellent speaker and businessman, a Delhi University alumnus. She appreciates his versatility, dedication, and belief in stepping outside one's comfort zone. Shah Rukh Khan's emphasis on self-love resonates with her, as she believes in the power of self-belief. His exceptional speaking skills also inspire her. She believes that Shah Rukh Khan's success is because of his ability to treat people well.

Talking about the quote that motivates her, she says she finds inspiration in two quotes:

• "Impossible—the word itself says I M Possible," emphasizing the importance of dedication, determination, and hard work.

• "Don't bother yourself by thinking about others," advising against worrying about others' opinions. She believes in pursuing passions, provided they are positive endeavors. She emphasizes that passionate and dedicated work inevitably leads to success.

CA Jain shares that her life has been a challenging journey. She married young while pursuing her CA and while living in a joint family. She persevered through self-study and maintained hope, supported by her husband and family. She also faced significant health issues, undergoing major surgeries after her daughter's birth. Her daughter became her source of strength.

She also gained 30 to 40 kg of weight after surgeries. She remained determined, refusing to let it define her. She aims to inspire others and serve as a role model for her daughter.

Shikha Jain emphasizes that her mother has been her constant source of inspiration and support. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she engaged in interior design, sourcing products from Moradabad, believing in the importance of continuous productivity and learning.

She notes the intensified competition faced by today's youth, citing the high cutoffs at institutions like Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi. She recognizes the challenges faced by students in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities like Udaipur, who may lack the exposure of their counterparts in metropolitan areas. She advises these students to prioritize communication skills from the outset, emphasizing the importance of confidence and direction.

She also provides an example of a student who achieved fluency in English through dedicated effort, highlighting the power of focused determination. She emphasizes that if an individual is diverted and moves ahead without goals, success may not come to you by itself. One must leave their comfort zone and work towards it to get favorable results.